Shaving system for extended blade life

ABSTRACT

A shaving outfit includes a compartmentalized package carrying a whisker softening and/or face conditioning agent and an applicator pad for lubricating the cutting edge of a conventional shaving blade. The applicator pad is constructed of synthetic foam and secured to the underside of an overcap of an aerosol bomb carrying shaving cream. The cutting lubricant is silicone based and impregnated in the pad so that a lubricating coating will be applied to the cutting edge of a razor blade when the razor is inserted into an inverted overcap and pressed against the pad. The user prepares the area to be shaved in the normal manner, applying the conditioning and softening agent, e.g. shaving cream, thereto and then shaves by cutting the hairs with the blade edge while sliding the lubricated edge over the skin.

United States Patent [1.91

Fisher [11] 3,808,920 1 May 7, 1974 SHAVING SYSTEM FOR EXTENDED BLADE LIFE [76] Inventor: Arthur I. Fisher, Herod Pt. Rd., Box

228, Wading River, NY. 11792 22 Filed: Sept. 28, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 401,875

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 161,832, July 12, 1971, Pat. No.

Primary Examiner-J. M. M eister V Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Natter & Natter, Esqs.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A shaving outfit includes a compartmentalized package carrying a whisker softening and/or face conditioning agent and an applicator pad for lubricating the cutting edge of a conventional shaving blade. The applicator pad is constructed of synthetic foam and secured to the underside of an overcap of an aerosol bomb carrying shaving cream. The cutting lubricant is silicone based and impregnated in the pad so that a lubricating coating will be applied to the cutting edge of a razor blade when the razor is inserted into an inverted overcap and pressed against the pad. The user prepares the area to be shaved in the normal manner, applying the conditioning and softening agent, e.g. shaving cream, thereto and then shaves by cutting the hairs with the blade edge while sliding the lubricated edge over the skin.

,j w ive .6 Pre e i r SIIAVING SYSTEM FOR EXTENDED BLADE LIFE RELATED APPLICATION This application is a Division of my prior application, Ser. No. 161,832, filed July 12, 1971, now U.S. Pat. N ;.3 6.3. ?98aiqqd 9st? 19.7.3.1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Furthermore, some shaving soaps used had a corrosive effect on the blades, thereby accelerating deterioration. Attempts .at retarding this chemical oxidation included wiping the blade after shaving to remove water. This wiping operation often, in itself, dulled the cutting edge. Resort was even made to procedures of coating the blades with oil to reduce oxidation.

The introduction of stainless steel for razor blade construction extended cutting edge life somewhat. Although stainless steel razor blades are more costly than carbon steel and their cutting edges were not initially as keen as those of the high carbon steel blades, there has been widespread acceptance of these blades. The paramount advantage of stainless steel razor blades which compensated for their higher cost was that they exhibited ability to resist'oxidation. Other related advantages, such as the elimination of the need to wipe water from the blade after shaving further prolonged blade life. Recent developments in the field of stainless steel razor blades have been the depositing of materials such as platinum on the cutting edge which has been claimed with further extending the blade life. These latter developments have, of course, resulted in substantial increase in production costs with an appreciable increase in consumer blade cost.

Among the disadvantages of stainless steel blades is the fact that the cutting edges cannot bemade as keen as the cutting edges of high carbon steel blades. This is because the high carbon steel blades were harder than stainless steel blades. The hardness of stainless steel blades is such that they are readily subject to wear through attrition from moving contact against the skin and during the process of severing whiskers. It is this attritious wear which is believed to be the principal cause for the dulling of the stainless steel cutting edge in lieu of the corrosion which caused the dulling of the carbon steel razor blades.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a shaving system of the character described which is so designed that it is not subject to the foregoing disadvantages.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shaving system of the general character described which is adapted to provide an even coating of a liquid silicone based lubricant along the cutting edge of a razor blade prior to shaving, to thereby minimize cutting edge wear by providing a lubricant at the interface between the cutting edge and the surfaces in contact with the cutting edge.

A still further object of the present invention, is to provide a shaving system of the general character described which includes a container carrying a compressible synthetic foam pad impregnated with a liquid silicone based lubricant and adapted for coating a razor blade cutting edge with the lubricant prior to shaving with conventional shaving preparations.

A still further objectof the present invention is to provide a shaving system of the general character described which includes a shaving kit having a compartmentalized container carrying a shaving preparation in the nature of a whisker softening and/or face conditioning agent in one compartment, and, in another compartment, a synthetic foam applicator pad for lubricating the cutting edge of a razor blade.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shaving system of the general character described which includes the application of a coating of a liquid silicone based lubricant to the cutting edge of 4 a razorblade and susequently shaving with the lubricant coated blade over a skin area preconditioned with thereby greatly reduce the attrition wear of the razor blade cutting edge by providing stable and continuous cutting lubrication at the interface between the moving surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE'DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings in which are shown some of the various possible embodiments and applicavtions of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shaving outfit package constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention, and illustrating an aerosol bomb can carrying shaving cream;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the overcap of the can which forms a separate compartment of the package, the same being taken substantially along the plane 22 of FIG. 1 and illustrating a foam padpositioned in the overcap; additionally, a portion of the aerosol bomb is broken away to illustrate the contents thereof; I

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the overcap which has been inverted and showing a double edged safety razor positioned with its headin the overcap so that the foam pad applies a coating of silicone based lubricant to one of the razor blade cutting edges;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the razor previously illustrated with its silicone coated cutting edge in use and sliding over the skin during a shaving procedure;

FIG. 5 is a reduced scale sectional view taken through a modification of the overcap shown in FIGS.

.- 2 and 3 and wherein the foam pad is held to the underside of the overcap by a plurality of flukes; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through a further embodiment of the invention wherein the foam pad is positioned within a hollow undercut chamber formed in the base. of an aerosol bomb can and with a removable lid providing access to the pad.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Positioned atop the can 12 and forming a second compartment of the outfit is an overcap 18.,The overcap l8 conventionally provides a guard to prevent the accidental dispensing of shaving formulation through the nozzle 16 and further provides an attractive generally cylindrical shape for the entire package by concealing the nozzle 16 and the crowned top of the can 12.

' The overcap 18 is generally cup shaped and includes a substantially annular skirt 20 projecting generally perpendicularly from the periphery of a circular, generally planar base 22. At the distal end of the skirt 20, the

configuration is outwardly stepped. The stepped portion of the skirt is adapted to lockingly engage a bead formed at the top of the can 12; For this purpose, a plurality of inturned tabs 24 are formed adjacent the distal edge of the skirt 20 and extend radially inwardly.

It should be noted that the overcap 18 is preferably formed of one piece construction by conventional molding or other fabrication techniques. It is advantageous that the overcap 18 be somewhat flexible, especially at the skirt, to resiliently and snappingly engage the can bead. The overcap 18 may be constructed of any suitable thermoplastic, e.g. polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene, etc.

' In accordance with the invention, the overcap 18 carries a disc shaped bibulous pad 26 of synthetic resilient, foam circumscribed by the skirt 20 and positioned adjacent the base- 22. The synthetic foam pad 26 is impregnated with a liquid silicone based lubricant 25 and acts as a dispenser to evenly coat the cutting edge of a razor blade 'with the lubricant. By providing a single compartmentalized outfit 10, carrying both the shaving formulation 14 and the foam pad 26 impregnated with the silicone lubricant 25, an attractive package suitable for shaving in accordance with the system of the present invention is conveniently provided.

The term silicone based lubricant used herein refers to any silicone lubricant preparation'suitable for application in the invention. Among such preparations are:

cal use, such a sthe following example:

Petrolatum a 1 Referring now to'FlGS; 3 and 4, it will be seen that a conventional razor 28 having a head 29 (which is shown in an exemplary manner as a razor to which a double edged shaving blade is mounted) carries a razor blade 30 in the head 29 such that a cutting edge 32 is exposed at an angle suitable for safe shaving. In accordance with the invention, the head 29 is placed within an inverted overcap 18 with portions of the head 29 forced against the synthetic foam pad 26 so that the exposed cutting edge 32 is forced into the foam pad 26. The head 29 slightly compresses the pad, thereby squeezing a quantity of the liquid silicone based lubricant 25 from the interstices within the pad to the upper surface, thereby coating the cutting edge 32 as well as bsth honed faces thereof.

It will be seen from an examination of FIG. 3 that the cutting edge 32 extends into the compressed foam pad 26 to effect the thorough application of the lubricant to the honed faces which are in abutting contact with the interior surfaces of the pad. If a double edge blade razor is utilized, both of the cutting edges are sequentially coated following the procedure previously described.

Of course, the dimensions of theovercap 18 are such that the razor head 29 is easily accommodated and received without interference with the skirt 20.

Under the system of the present invention, the hairs I projecting from the skin of an area to be shaved are cut by a razor blade edge 32 which traverses the skin lubricated by the film of silicone based lubricant'25 previously applied to the cutting edge. The lubricant additionally serves as a cutting lubricant to reduce the attrition of the cutting edge due to the slicing of hairs by movement of the cutting edge along an axis generally perpendicular to the axes of the hairs.

Referring now to FIG. 4 wherein an illustration of a typical shaving procedure in accordance with the invention is shown, the reference numeral 36 denotes generally, the layers constituting the users skin and from which a plurality of individual hairs 38 project.

Each of the hairs 38 projects from a depression or Je shaved with a-hot soap lather to effect a wetting of the skin, the hairs, and additionally, to soften the hairs. The hair softening effect is increased with the increase in the temperature of the water used in this initial wash-. ing. Subsequently, a shaving formulation such as the formulation 14, eg a gaseous suspension of shave cream, carried in the aerosol bomb can.l2 compartment of the outfit 10, is applied as a coating over the wetted skin area.

As has been mentioned previously, prior to shaving with the razor 28, the cutting edge or edges 32 of the razor blade 30 are coated with the liquid silicone based lubricant through the use of the applicator pad 26. The user then shaves in the conventional manner with the silicone lubricant coated cutting edge by sliding the razor along the skin 36. Because the cutting edge 32 which moves along the skin 36 is directly coated with the silicone lubricant 25 prior to shaving, the cutting edge slides over the skin on a thin film of the lubricant 25 in lieu of scraping across the skin which is encountered in the absence of the present invention. The reasons for this phenomenon are not exactly known. However, it is believed that a quantity of the silicone based lubricant transfers from the honed faces of the cutting edge to the cutting edge-skin interface.

The result of the relative motion between the cutting edge 32 and the skin 36 is that instead of dulling the cutting edge, the relative motion in effect produces a stropping effect and it has been noted that after several shaves the cutting edge appears to slide and slice the hairs 38 more easily. The silicone based lubricant applied to the when the hairs 38 are out.

It should also be mentioned at this time that it has been found that asingle coating of the silicone based lubricant evenly applied along the cutting edge 32 by the foam pad 26 suffices for the shaving of an average beard. Possibly, the liquid silicone based lubricant possesses such characteristics that it tenaciously clings to the cutting edge 32 without sufficient quantities being lost during the shaving strokes.

It is also believed that the utilization of a preapplication of conventional shaving formulation 14 substantially assists in the interface lubrication and thus allows the cutting edge 32 to smoothly slide over the skin. Indeed, it has been found that with the use of conventional aerosol shaving cream such as the formulation 14, razor blade cutting edge life has been greatly extended when the cutting edges are first coated with silicone in accordance with the invention. Tests have revealed a single double edged razor blade has been used comfortably for over 100 successive shaves under the shaving procedure of the instant invention.

Returning now to the applicator foam pad 26, it should be noted that although any synthetic flexible compressible foam may be utilized, provided such foam is capable of absorbing the silicone based lubricant, it

' has been found that urethane foams have proved most acceptable. 'In fact, polyether based polyurethane foams provide the desired degree of resiliency neces-- sary to prevent excessive deterioration such as tearing, of the pad surfaces by the compressive forces of the razor head 29. Furthermore, the cutting edge is able to easily penetrate into the foam pad to be coated with lubricant. Although density of the foam material has been found to be not of major importance, satisfactory results have been obtained using an open cell polyurethane foam of a density of 1.4 pounds per cubic feet. It should be noted that no skin is provided on the upper face of the pad 26.

The utilization of the open celled'polyurethane foam as the applicator foam pad 26 permits a thorough and even distribution of a liquid silicone based lubricant which is previously applied to and absorbed into the foam. Of the advantages encountered with the particular characteristics of the polyurethane foam are: resistance to mildew; an even cell structure which permits thorough and even coating of the cutting edge and its faces; a strong resistance to tearing and crumbling and a high resilience and elasticity.

The foam pad 26 may be formed as a disc cut from a sheet of polyurethane foam with a circular slitter. It may be secured to the overcap 18 by being merely slightly oversized and pressed into the cap with its periphery in abutting contact with the base 22 or, may be otherwise secured to the overcap. Among the possible alternate securing means are the use of adhesives and dielectric welding.

In FIG. 5 an alternate embodiment bearing similar reference numerals with the suffix a illustrates a further manner of securing a foam pad 26a to the interior of an overcap 18a having the annular skirt 20a. In this embodiment, the skirt 20a includes a plurality of flukes 42a which project zone adjacent the base 22a. In essence, the pad 26a is secured by the flukes 42a which project into the pad 26a. It will be appreciated that if the overcap 18a is molded, it may be conventionally molded of one piece construction with the flukes.

A further manner in which the foam pad 26 may be secured to the overcap 18 is with the foam molded in place. That is, the constituents for the foam may be mixed in the overcap so that when the foam is formed, it will be formed in place, and properly positioned within the overcap. If molded in place, the foam pad will be tenaciously secured to the inner walls of the overcap skirt as well as to the base.

Although the foam pad 26 has been mentioned to be constructed of a polyether basedpolyure thane foam, polyester based polyurethane foams are also suitable, as are several other open celled synthetic foams. Fur ther reasons for the selection of polyurethane foam as an examplary synthetic foam is that it is of relatively low cost and provides a great number of physical properties desirable in this specific application.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein similar reference numerals denote similar parts with respect to the previous embodiment, with the addition of the suffix b. In this embodiment, an aerosol bomb can 12b carries a shaving formulation 14b. However, the specific construction of the bottom wall of the can differs slightly from that of the can 12 previously described. In this embodiment, a bottom wall 44b includes a central raised plateau 46b which is elevated from a seam bead 48b extending around the bottom periphery or base of the can 12b and joining the bottom and side walls of the can.

A foam pad 26b similar to the pad26 is conventionally secured, e.g. with adhesives, within a hollow inverted well formed between the bead 48b and the plateau 46b. The pad 26b serves as an applicator in a manner identical to that of the pad 26v after being impregnated with a silicone based lubricant 25b. Thus the outfit 10b of this embodiment includes not only a compart-' ment carrying a shavingformulation 14b (the aerosol bomb can 12b), but, in addition, a compartment carrying the silicone lubricant impregnated liquid foam pad 26b formed by the bottom wall 44b.

It should also be noted that an undercap 50b is provided as a cover for the second compartment. The undercap 50b is of a configuration such that it provides a false bottom for the can 12b which snaps over the bead 48b and includes a disc shaped base 52b and an annular side wall 54b projecting upwardly from the base and terminating with a plurality of bosses to engage the upper edge of the bead 48b. The undercap 50b may be formed of a suitable synthetic plastic which is somewhat fiexible for easy removal and engagement. In fact, it is preferably formed of the same material as is the overcap l8.

Thus it will be seen that this embodiment also provides a package hvaing not only a compartment fora suitable shaving formulation 14b, but in addition, a compartment carrying a silicone based lubricant impregnated applicator pad 26b for the coating of'the cutting edge of a razor with the lubricant prior to shaving.

Thus it will be seen that there is provided a shaving system for prolonged and extended blade life which achieves the various objects of the invention and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

Since various possible embodiments might be made of the present invention, and since various changes might be made in the embodiments and procedures above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A shaving system for reducing the rate of attrition wear of the cutting edge of a razor blade secured to a shaving razor used to shave hairs projecting from the skin of an area to be shaven, said system comprising the following steps prior to actual shaving, wetting the area to be shaven, conditioning the skin and softening the hairs by applying a shaving formulation to the area to be shaven, and applying an even coating of a silicone based lubricant to the cutting edge and subsequently shaving the area by sliding the razor blade cutting edge over the skin.

2. A shaving system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the silicone based lubricant is applied to the cutting edge by pressing the razor, with the blade cutting edge exposed, into a compressible foam pad im pregnated with the lubricant. 

1. A shaving system for reducing the rate of attrition wear of the cutting edge of a razor blade secured to a shaving razor used to shave hairs projecting from the skin of an area to be shaven, said system comprising the following steps prior to actual shaving, wetting the area to be shaven, conditioning the skin and softening the hairs by applying a shaving formulation to the area to be shaven, and applying an even coating of a silicone based lubricant to the cutting edge and subsequently shaving the area by sliding the razor blade cutting edge over the skin.
 2. A shaving system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the silicone based lubricant is applied to the cutting edge by pressing the razor, with the blade cutting edge exposed, into a compressible foam pad impregnated with the lubricant. 